21st August 2026 Current Affairs MCQ Quiz

Authorities selected the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) to develop this corridor. It's a strategy designed to reduce the developer's financial burden by blending government support with private investment, which the NHAI frequently uses for major highway projects under the National Highways Act, 1956.

Lawmakers cleared these exemptions to encourage more foreign participation in India's sovereign debt markets. It's a move aimed at boosting capital inflows, falling under the Ministry of Finance's broader goal of deepening our domestic financial markets.

Botanists named this unique Himalayan flower after 'Nimsdai' Purja to celebrate his remarkable mountaineering records and environmental advocacy. Interestingly, this species belongs to the Balsaminaceae family, which locals in Nepal commonly refer to as 'Tiuri'.

Collaborating entities aim to empower refugee communities by leveraging research and livelihood support programs in Tamil Nadu. This is particularly significant as the UNHCR, headquartered in Geneva, works under the UN mandate to assist forcibly displaced persons globally.

Training sessions under this programme help participants navigate the complexities of AI and emerging technologies safely. As a statutory body established in 1992, the National Commission for Women ensures such outreach aligns with its mandate to promote constitutional rights for Indian women.

Both nations maintain this historic custom of exchanging honorary ranks between their army chiefs to cement bilateral military ties. It's a symbolic yet significant gesture that underlines the unique 'roti-beti' relationship between the two countries' defense forces.

Operating out of Chandigarh, this firm became the first to set up exclusive locations for silver-backed lending after the RBI issued its 2025 guidelines. They've streamlined this under the regulated lending framework to allow easier credit access against jewelry and coins.

Tech-driven payment solutions for consumer loyalty and rewards will be facilitated by this strategic banking alliance. It's an important move for the fintech, especially since they've already moved to file draft papers with SEBI for their upcoming IPO.

Lower energy import costs are providing the economy with more fiscal space, leading the agency to hike its estimate. While growth looks promising, they've cautioned that the government's 4.3% fiscal deficit target remains a tightrope walk.

Combining Reliance's manufacturing prowess with British propulsion technology is a major step toward realizing India's 5th-generation stealth aircraft. This project falls under the aegis of the Aeronautical Development Agency, which is the nodal agency for designing such advanced fighter assets.

Alphabet’s subsidiary snapped up these assets to bolster its machine learning models and future AI development. While it's a massive purchase, they’ve confirmed that all sensitive consumer information was scrubbed from the datasets before the handover.

Completing the rigorous ACCA qualification while still in his teens is a testament to his dedication toward the financial sector. He’s currently balancing his research career with advanced postgraduate studies, showcasing how young talent is increasingly shaping global professional benchmarks.

An expert in competitive education and enterprise strategy, he'll be guiding various community and economic initiatives for the organization. It's a prestigious role within a body empanelled with NITI Aayog to foster international business collaboration.

Central banking oversight ensures such large institutional stakes remain compliant with the Banking Regulation Act. While they now have the permission to scale up, this doesn't imply an immediate acquisition; it’s a strategic buffer meant to offer LIC more portfolio flexibility.

Acquiring a 75% stake marks a major shift in the firm’s insurance strategy within the Indian market. Because of their pre-existing stake in another joint venture with ICICI Bank, the regulator has stipulated that they must divest some of their other holdings to comply with market norms.

Engineered for versatility, this Hyderabad-based startup's drone provides advanced automation for farmers and energy firms alike. It underscores the government's push for a self-reliant drone ecosystem under the 'Make in India' framework.

In 1897, Sir Ronald Ross made the breakthrough discovery in Secunderabad that changed public health forever. His work was so pivotal that it earned him a Nobel Prize just five years later, cementing his place in medical history.

History from the 2011 SECC showed that without a pre-defined list, enumerators collect millions of conflicting and misspelt names. This creates a massive headache for policymakers, who struggle to translate raw survey input into coherent administrative data for welfare schemes.

Fragmented administrative control and reliance on chartered ships hamper India's long-term research efficiency in the North. Given the direct impact of Arctic warming on the monsoon, the committee has urged for faster procurement of ice-class vessels to match regional geopolitical stakes.

Refusing to overrule the 1983 judgment, the bench noted that it still provides the necessary legal justification for this mode of execution. They clarified that since Parliament chose to keep hanging when drafting the new BNSS laws, it confirms a clear legislative and judicial consensus on the matter.